March 9, 2020

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from NorthStarNewsToday.com

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams is urging Americans to stop buying disposable surgical masks because they are not effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

And because of the growing demand for the masks, prices are rising and there is concern about a possible shortage of the masks for healthcare workers which would put them at risk.

“Not having a mask does not necessarily put you at the risk of contracting the disease,” Adams wrote on Twitter. He explained that preventive measures like staying home when you are sick and washing your hands with soap and water can prevent the spread of disease.The demand for masks has caused a surge in prices at Amazon and eBay. He wrote in his twitter post “Seriously people—STOP BUYING MASKS!”

The latest numbers, according to CNN:  "The novel coronavirus has infected more than 108,000 peoplearound the world and killed more than 3,800." 

More than 36,000 people have since recovered, according to the World Health Organization. 

Known infections in the United States’ had passed 500 on Monday this week, according to widespread reports.